You might recognize Chef Whitney Otawka from her recent
run on Top Chef Season 9, or from
accolades like being named a “2012 Atlanta Rising Star Chef.” If it’s not clear by now, we’re talking about
one seriously talented local chef—and this Saturday under our demo tent, you
can check out for yourself just how lucky we are to call her one of our own!
So, we won’t hold it against Whitney that her culinary journey started across
the country, when she was taking French classes at the University of
California-Berkeley…she responded to an advertisement for a waitress position
at a local French creperie; with no waitressing experience, she was hired
instead as one member of a two-person kitchen, and the rest, as they say, is histoire.
Whitney continued her training in California restaurants until she moved to
Athens (Georgia, y’all) in 2005. She quickly worked her way up to sous chef at
Hugh Acheson’s 5&10, then for a while worked simultaneously as chef de partie
at Linton Hopkins' Restaurant Eugene. She also took time to stage in several
kitchens across New York, including the renowned restaurants Per Se and Le
Bernardin, and also traveled to learn from chefs and winemakers across Europe.
In 2010, Whitney took a unique opportunity to serve as executive chef at the
stunning Greyfield Inn of Cumberland Island. It was from there that she headed
to Top Chef, and we’re glad she’s now
returned to her southern roots to serve as executive chef of Athens’ Farm 255
(us Atlantans know these fine restaurant folks through Farm Burger). You won’t
want to miss this chef demo, where Whitney will show you how to bring new flavors
to rustic cuisine, all while using the season’s best ingredients. Super-star,
indeed.

Canning with Martha!

8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

New this year at
PRFM, join us for a series of seasonal canning demos with expert Martha
McMillin. Up this week, preserve the last of the summer peaches,
tomatoes and more! Who says you can’t
enjoy the season’s juicy, yummy produce later in the year? Well, nobody’s going
to say it after this demo. Martha has received her certificate from the FDA’s
Better Process Control School at UGA’s College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences—so if you’ve been nervous about canning, stop by
Martha’s tent and learn all the tips and tricks that will put you at ease and
impress your friends!

Also, bees.

Metro ATL Bee Keepers will be on hand with their
observation hive, a bee suit for kids to try on, cool equipment, and of
course…some (very) local honey to taste!